4th of July fireworks can be difficult for veterans with PTSD: What you can do to help

The holiday meant to celebrate America can be particularly difficult for those who served their country.

The loud bangs, pops and flashes can trigger frightening memories for those who have served in combat, especially those dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Vietnam War Veteran Everett Carter of Huntsville told AL.com news partner WHNT about an experience he had on a 4th of July 45 years ago:

"I never forget it because some kids in the neighborhood fired off some firecrackers and fireworks late in the afternoon, and it brought it all back," Carter said. "I actually ended up trying to get underneath the couch. Until I realized I was at home and everything was OK."

Statistics show 30 percent of Vietnam War veterans and as many as 20 percent of veterans from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq suffer from PTSD. Other estimates put the figure for Post 9/11 veterans at upwards of 60 percent.

Combat veteran John Dykes served four tours in Iraq. He was diagnosed with PTSD in 2003. (Contributed photo/Military With PTSD)

On Thursday, a photo of a veteran standing in front of a sign asking for courtesy from fireworks users went viral after it was shared on the Facebook site Military with PTSD. The photo shows John Dykes, who served four deployments to Iraq during his time in the Army, standing behind a sign with the words "Combat veteran lives here. Please be courteous with fireworks."

Dykes was diagnosed with PTSD in 2003. His unit was part of the liberation of Baghdad and on his Military With PTSD blog, he said he lost his best friend during one deployment and endured IED, small arms ambushes and mortar and rocket attacks daily.

Dykes designed the sign for his yard after a severe reaction during fireworks last year.

"Courteous to me means remembering that you are not the only one living in your neighborhood/town/city. America celebrates our independence on the 4th of July. Not the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th of July. Some fireworks are expected, and that's OK. I understand. But not 24 hours a day," he said.

"Courtesy is just that: remembering that there are other people in this world besides yourself and thinking of them," he added.

The photo of Dykes has since been shared 100,000 times.

What you can do to help:

Portland State University has offered some tips for how you can help veterans in your area:

Consider viewing public firework displays instead of setting ones off in your neighborhood.

Talk with veterans in your neighborhood to see if any particular fireworks are upsetting.

Let neighbors know what time you will be setting off fireworks and for what length of time.

Refrain from setting off fireworks at unexpected times during the day.